Can Christians really please God?
In a previous post we considered what the Bible means when it describes human beings as “only evil, all the time” (Genesis 6:5). Can that really be true, especially when we see people doing things that can only be described as ‘good’? But the Bible is clear - no one is good (Romans 3:10-12). Those who are not Christians can’t please God (Hebrews 11:6), although they can do good in a limited sense. But what about Christians? Are we still “only evil, all the time”? And, can we do things that are good which God will be pleased with?
Instinctively we might think the answer is no. Doesn’t the Bible say that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” before the Lord? (Isaiah 64:1) We know from experience that even our best efforts to serve God are imperfect. If nothing else, when we’re honest with ourselves, our motives for serving God are never 100% pure. So if God’s standard is perfection, how could we ever hope to please him?
But in fact, because of the gospel, amazingly we can please God! It’s true that if our motivation in serving God is to earn his favour or love, then they will be ‘filthy rags’ before him. But when our motivation is because we love him, and want to please him, then God takes great delight in us and our service! Consider these verses:
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way…” (Col. 1:9-10)
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Col. 3:20)
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.” (1 Thess. 4:1)
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Heb. 13:16)
How is it possible that we can please God? Peter says, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 2:5). Our service of the Lord is pleasing because we are united to Jesus.
And, it’s vital to remember that because of Jesus, our relationship to God is that we are now his child, and he’s our Father. When children help their parents with jobs around the house, they rarely do it perfectly. But because they do it out of love and a desire to please them, their parents won’t punish them for an imperfect job! They’ll take joy and delight in their children’s desire to serve them. In the same way, God takes great delight when, out of love for him, we seek to serve him and honour him in the way we live even if its imperfect service.
Our status as God’s children, and his love for us, doesn’t depend on our service of him. But we can please him! Despite our sin and even imperfect motives, our actions can bring God delight. What a great encouragement to serve him!
If you’d like to read more on this topic, Matt Fuller’s book Perfect Sinners (£5 on the bookstall) is really helpful in thinking more widely about the question ‘What does God think of us now that we’re Christians?’.
